Illinois looking to prove themselves in front of small crowd

Wednesday

Aug 31, 2011 at 12:01 AMAug 31, 2011 at 12:27 AM

Evidently, a 7-6 record last season and a Texas Bowl victory over Baylor didn't translate into a big buzz about Illinois football heading into the season opener against Arkansas State on Saturday (2:30 p.m., BTN) at Memorial Stadium.

John Supinie

CHAMPAIGN -- Evidently, a 7-6 record last season and a Texas Bowl victory over Baylor didn't translate into a big buzz about Illinois football heading into the season opener against Arkansas State on Saturday (2:30 p.m., BTN) at Memorial Stadium.

Maybe it's the option of buying a ticket to seven other home games. The economy. A holiday weekend. Or the opponent from the Sun Belt Conference. Or maybe fans are taking a wait-and-see approach to a program that's teased and disappointed over the last few years.

"I guess the win in the bowl game wasn't enough,'' said wide receiver A.J. Jenkins. "We have to win some home games first. That's motivation for us. The fans aren't really sold yet as far as us winning games. We have to do that Saturday.''

Coach Ron Zook's pay was boosted to $1.75 million per season by former athletic director Ron Guenther following last season. Guenther used to watch from the top of the stadium, but athletic director Mike Thomas, who started full-time on Monday, will work the luxury boxes during the game while getting a feel for the program.

Nevertheless, Zook wasn't concerned about selling tickets.

"If that's how people are, that's how people are,'' he said.

DEPTH CHART: As expected, redshirt freshman strong side tackle Michael Heitz, a graduate of Table Grove VIT High School who played for the South Fulton co-op, will start Saturday after winning the position battle with classmate Simon Cvijanovic. Heitz, a former Peoria Journal Star all-area pick, started 41 consecutive games in his high school career.

"Michael has taken a step forward,'' said offensive line coach Joe Gilbert. "I'm excited to see how he's going to do.''

Senior linebacker Ashante Williams, who was indefinitely suspended following his DUI arrest shortly before Camp Rantoul, returned to the practice field as a member of the scout team. Zook wasn't sure when Williams would be eligible for playing time, and Zook was more interested in Williams graduating.

BACKUP QUARTERBACK: Sophomore Miles Osei is the No. 2 quarterback behind Scheelhaase, but don't be surprised if freshman Reilly O'Toole also takes snaps sometime this season, Zook said. Osei played sparingly last season while the Illini tried to get Scheelhaase as much experience as possible.

RADIO SWITCH: In Peoria, WGLO (95.5 FM) took over the Illini contract from long-time affiliate WIRL. According to a member of the athletic department, WGLO made an offer Illinois couldn't refuse.

SAY WHAT? Senior running back Jason Ford earned the nickname "Big Sexy'' after shedding weight. Ford enters the season around 230 pounds after surprising the coaching staff in preseason camp with his work ethic and attitude.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnSupinie.